The University’s strategy and decision-making

The organisational structure of the University of Helsinki includes

• the University Collegium
• the Board
• the Rector
• the Chancellor
• University Services
• 11 faculties and their joint operational units (The Swedish School of Social Science is a special unit of the University of Helsinki)
• 9 independent institutes.

Read more on the University’s organisational structure in the Flamma intranet.

The Strategic Plan of the University of Helsinki, approved by the Board, guides all of the University’s operations. The base for the new Strategic Plan for the period 2021-2030 are the University's values truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusivity. The values guide the day-to-day activities and interaction at the University.

University's success will be based on in-depth and innovative discipline-specific knowledge, interdisciplinary research and teaching of a high standard. The strategic plan of the University of Helsinki has been formulated for a decade, this time with a vision With the power of knowledge - for the world.

To achieve this vision, the University has selected four strategic objectives for the period 2021–2030:

• Knowledge and learning are for everyone.
• Openness enhances scientific research and collaboration.
• Our University is the best place to study and work.
• Our University is a leader in responsibility and sustainability.

The Strategic Plan of the University of Helsinki is available on the Flamma intranet as well as the University’s public website.

Implementation plans have been drafted to help the University reach its strategic goals. For more information on implementation plans, please see Flamma intranet.

The University’s values

The University’s values – truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusivity – constitute the foundation of the University’s operations and interaction, while also guiding the choices and reforms.

Truth

• Leads us to pursue new knowledge
• Requires critical thinking
• Promotes high-quality research and teaching

Bildung

• Guides us on the right path
• Serves as our moral conscience
• Cultivates stability and open-mindedness

Freedom

• Encourages our creativity
• Affirms the autonomy and responsibility of the University

Inclusivity

• Safeguards our equality
• Translates into diversity and respect for others
• Supports and promotes openness and collaboration
• Springs from democratic empowerment

Get the know the University’s values and strategy by watching the With the power of knowledge - for the world video. The video has subtitles in English.

Management provides the conditions required for quality research, teaching and studies.

The University’s decision-making complies with its regulations and provisions. No matter which matter is being decided or who is making the decision, the process always includes the following stages: initiation; preparation and presentation; decision-making; implementation; and distribution of information. Many matters require decisions to be made at several administrative levels.

A general overview of the University’s decision-making processes can be found in the on the Flamma intranet Management and decision-making page. 

You can make a difference as a student

Many of the University’s organisational bodies have student members and representatives. Hallopeds, student representatives in administration, are representatives elected for administrative organs from among the members by the Student Union Representative Council or the Board. You have an opportunity to make your mark as a student member/representative of the University’s various multimember organs and decision-making bodies.

Read more in the Student involvement section of the Instructions for students.

Quality management ensures the high quality of the University’s operations. The University strives for quality in its operations to preserve time and resources for the most important duties of its community members: studying, teaching and research.

The University’s operations are planned, implemented, evaluated and developed with the help of the methods provided by quality management. Collectively, the quality management methods constitute the University’s quality, or integrated management, system.

By participating in guidance and supervision, feedback surveys, development discussions and, for example, the administrative activities of a student organisation or the University on different levels, you as a student are assuming a very important role in the quality management of the entire community.

Read more on the University’s quality management in the Flamma intranet.

You can also familiarize yourself with the key quality concepts of the University by watching an animated video on YouTube.